The season is upon us where couples are gathering information to create a beautiful wedding day.
I thought I would offer up some helpful pointers to those thinking of their florals. First, I always recommend that a bride start a file of flower pictures that have caught their attention.  Bridal, home decor or even gardening publications can be very helpful in finding pictures. If there are photos of a flower you like but in the wrong colour-rip it out! Many gorgeous varieties are available for every flower.
Also, if there is a picture of a flower that you really don't like also rip it out! These are important pointers for your designer to get the feel for what you are wanting to have created. I have sat with many brides who show me their file and say that they don't know what they want. When we look at the pictures they have gathered, often they have chosen the same style of bouquet with the same style of flowers.  Maybe they have chosen a mounded posey with round formed flowers. Maybe it is a stylized, sleek contempary bouquet. Some gravitate to funky and cool. Whatever the taste maybe, your designer should be able to combine all the pieces to create a look unique to you.

Secondly, if flowers are important to you, don't buy them where you buy your groceries. Don't order your bouquet from a code in a book. Your designer should be able to help you develop your vision for the day. Make sure you are feeling heard by the designer you have chosen and you listen to them. Trust is so important here. Think of your flowers as a piece of jewellery for your dress.  It is important to find the dress and then compliment your gown with beautiful blooms.

Also, please have fabric samples and pictures of the dresses for us as well. There are a surprising number of shades of white and you want to make sure we order the right shade of blossom. Same goes for your bridesmaids dresses. If you tell your designer it is red, we are left to wonder if it is a pink red or an orange red. These are the details that are important in chosing the right varieties of flowers.

Also, finding "deals" for your decor may end up costing you in the end. I have had to explain many times to brides that the vase they found on sale is going to have to have more flowers put into the arrangement because the mouth is too large. Maybe the vase is too high and the flowers will interfear with the site line of your guests. Having a clear vision for your tablecenters and purchasing with a plan is always a better way. Also allowing your designer to look around at their suppliers may come up a better deal in the long run.

Having a budget and telling your designer what you plan on spending is always better then keeping the budget a secret.  I have made tablecenters for $20 and I have made them for $500. They can both be beautiful but they do not look the same. It is a waste of time to talk about the moon, the stars and the sun if your budget wont allow for it. If you tell your designer your budget, then you both can work to spending the money effectively. You may also need to be flexible here. Sometimes wanting it all wont be able to happen given the budget. But a good designer should be able to focus the money where you are going to get the most amount of visual impact.

Flowers change how an event looks and feels and is one of the best parts of planning your special day. Having beautiful flowers enhances your event. I am lucky to be one of those designers who helps couples create the vision they have for their wedding day.

People should play with flowers in the winter when the temperature is below freezing. Put your flowers outside! Enjoy them in the house and just before they are about to wither, tuck them into the branches of a shrub outside your door. The fresh flowers will freeze in place and you will be delighted with your frozen blossoms  every time you step outside. Having company? Break off the heads of some beautiful roses and place them in the snow along with some candles on the path your guests will travel. Just before the arrival time, toss some petals to the ground for their enjoyment. This is a beautiful beginning to an evening with friends. You can even add them to arrangements you already have in your containers on your porch. Just make sure that it is in a well travelled area so people can see your creativity. Of course, if the temperature rises above freezing, then the blooms will turn to mush but that isn't likely to happen for awhile...unfortunately!

Decorating for the holiday season shouldn’t  break the bank.  I have watched decorating shows and flipped through many popular magazines to find that the decorators have all made beautiful and incredibly expensive décor for the winter season.

You would spend a fortune on key limes if you wanted to replicate the stunning double wreaths hanging on the door from Oprah’s decorator.  Martha Stewart has an amazing seeded eucalyptus garland hanging on her stairs. It is absolutely gorgeous but she is one of few who could afford it.

There is no problem with her having such a decadent  garland but please don’t then “teach” people how to make it. The materials alone would be in the $1000.00 range.   How about we teach people a few tricks to help them make their homes beautiful without needing a bank loan.  Such as clean the biggest glass vase you have and fill it with a beautiful assortment of glittered balls. Don’t have any? Check out the deals at the dollar store. Buy all one colour of balls and assorted sizes and start laying them in your vase. Pop it on top of a cabinet or the mantle and enjoy.  How about the staircase-hang up an inexpensive artificial garland on the outside of the stairs and not along the railing. Then buy a few bunches of CEDAR and tie them into the artificial garland with the pieces of the garland.  The cedar will dry in place, your garland will have the fresh look and you can enjoy the scent. There are so many ideas for reusing what you have but giving it a fresh style. Don’t listen to the decorators who tell you to get ride of what you have and start anew. If you bought it, use it.  Look at your bobbles in a new way. Hang matching ornaments off the ends of the curtain rods. All the ornaments don’t have to go on the tree! Toss some into the big china bowl that you never use and place it in the center of your table.

Enjoy your decorating and I encourage you to shake it up a little this year!

Don't wait until the season is upon us. Remember what an overwhelming rush it can be and plan ahead for this holiday.